INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Executives from The Dow Chemical Company (NYS: DOW) and Dow AgroSciences were joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence today at a Research & Development (R&D) expansion ribbon-cutting event for a new 175,000 square foot R&D facility at Dow AgroSciences' Global Headquarters.

This new facility is part of a global growth plan for Dow AgroSciences' research efforts for the development and commercialization of new crop protection and seed, traits and oils products for growers around the world.

"At Dow AgroSciences, we are dedicated to providing solutions for the growing world that will help farmers improve food production," said Antonio Galindez, Dow AgroSciences President and CEO. "This new center of expertise will greatly enhance our ability to discover new products and technologies, achieve our growth milestones and create new jobs."

In 2010, Dow AgroSciences announced a multi-year expansion that included the construction of this new 175,000 square foot research facility, the construction of a new 14,000 square foot greenhouse, and the addition of more than 550 scientific and commercial jobs by 2015. The company has already hired more than 400 new employees in Indiana since 2010.

As the newest addition to the company's 192-acre Indianapolis campus, the new Biotechnology Research Center will support the R&D activities of more than 200 research scientists from the Advanced Technology Development (ATD) and Bioengineering and Bioprocessing Research and Development (BBRD) functions. The new facility includes both office and lab configurations that deliver efficient, high-performing quality biotechnology research labs, while enhancing the company's safety culture.

Gov. Pence helped dedicate the facility and highlighted the impact the R&D expansion will have on the State of Indiana. "This is a significant investment by Dow AgroSciences which demonstrates its commitment to life sciences in Indiana. As the crossroads of America, Indiana takes pride in being a top-producing agricultural state. This expansion at Dow AgroSciences provides another boost to Indiana's economic and agricultural sectors," stated Pence.

"Dow AgroSciences' investment in Indianapolis strengthens our role as a leader in the life sciences industry," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. "This project will not only create construction jobs in the short term, but many additional permanent high-tech jobs in our community." Ballard toured the new facility to view the company's research efforts.

The facility was constructed with a goal of achieving certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Features include:

Up to 30 percent of the new facility was made with recycled materials.

Forty percent of the materials were manufactured within 500 miles of the site, reducing costs for production, shipping and fuel.

The facility has reclaimed maple wood from a barn in Montgomery County, Ind., used as an accent throughout the building.

The multiple window views allow the building to utilize natural daylight.

A reflective white roof (made by The Dow Chemical Company) and an extensive heat recovery system in the basement help control temperatures.

Through a private-public partnership, the new facility also features six pieces of art commissioned from students at IUPUI's Herron School of Art and Design. The student artwork includes benches made of limestone and wood, sculpture, an oil on canvas triptych, and a hand-cut paper wall covering.

The Herron partnership is just one example of how Dow AgroSciences is committed to giving back to the local communities where employees live and work. Last year, corporate contributions and in-kind donations exceeded $1.2 million and employees volunteered more than 8,000 hours to help approximately 100 organizations in Central Indiana.

About Dow AgroSciences

Dow AgroSciences, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, develops leading-edge crop protection and plant biotechnology solutions to meet the challenges of the growing world. Dow AgroSciences is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and had annual global sales of $6.4 billion in 2012. Learn more at www.dowagro.com. Follow Dow AgroSciences on Facebook and YouTube or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.